What is WIFi, DSL and Other Computer Related Terms?

We all hear the terms but do we really understand them. Here are some common terms and what you need to know about them.

WiFi & WiFi 802.11 This term is used for Wireless Fidelity, referring to a type of wireless Internet hook up that is commonly used today. This wireless connectivity is at a certain frequency, 802.11 is the term used to specify what type of connection it is. The number is basically a specification that is used for the FCC to keep track of all the different things in the airwaves today. Just like IEEE is 802.3 or as we commonly refer to it as Ethernet. There can be a letter added on to the end of the 802.11 like 802.11a or c to specify which frequency the WiFi is. 802.11a is 5Ghz, 802b or g is 2.4 Ghz.

WiFi for a desk top can be a plug in card for the computer that is located in the back by the other cards plugged into the motherboard. It will have a small antenna that sticks up for the desktop to accept the signal being sent by a provider or from a plugged in base unit that connects over a telephone line. The desktop can also have a unit plugged in through it's USB ports or the FireWire port. A notebook can have a small card with a similar antenna in a card slot in the side of the laptop or it can have an internal setup that is built into the notebooks motherboard. You can have a base unit for your house or business that sends out the wireless signal for a small area that you can connect a number of computers wirelessly to.

FireWire Also referred to as IEEE 1394 is a data bus connection that uses wires inside a computer or to a device it can plug into, such as a data storage device or a video recorder. This is better at transferring data than a USB cable, it does not require a computer to originate the data like going from a digital video recorder to your home computer. This is very common in things like audio and video devices and for better transfers of data to and from drives.